My Review: Chimera by Stephie Walls

Synopsis

I couldn’t be anything other than a romantic at heart — it’s my nature, it’s who I am. But this isn’t a typical story of traditional love. It isn’t a fairy tale. No happily ever after neatly tied up with a shiny bow. It’s a memoir of the reality left behind in the wake of grief — the desolation, the resurrection, and final culmination life offers to the fallen.

This is a journey through love…the love of self, love of a friend, and sometimes love is ugly, messy —destructive.

My name is Bastian Thames…and this is my story.

My Review

Chimera by Stephie Walls is a contemporary romance novel with some dark edges.

“If I could be captured in colors, this is the expression of my life.It will be very hard to let it go.”

I first began reading Author Stephie Walls’ books with Beauty Mark. Her writing is unique and refreshing, always bringing out a deluge of emotional highs and lows.Chimera was the next step for me in reading more of her previously published novels.I went into it mostly blind and was not at all prepared for the depth of story that was to unfold from page one until The End. It was literally an emotional avalanche for my emotions.

“Slowly, I’m climbing the mountain to peace. I may never reach it, but for the first time in years, I have the determination and fight to attempt the hike to the top again. Daily, we take for granted the blessings we have in life, having them ripped away it’s painfully sobering.”

Once again, I was in awe of the well-crafted and articulated story by Author Stephie Walls. The characters in Chimera each had specific qualities that added to the lives of those around them but also served to propel the story forward.Seeing the world through Bastian’s eyes, the eyes of an artist, was a unique perspective on color and how it shapes our world.Nate, Bastian’s best friend, was unwavering in his devotion and never ceased to be the rudder on Bastian’s ship.The bromance between these two made me giggle and fondly sigh.The introduction of Sera to Bastian’s life was a bit baffling.I became so frustrated with her decisions and choices.By the end, all I felt for her was sorrow, as I watched the repercussions of her discretions shape not only her life but influence Bastian’s as he struggled to find himself and reclaim his existence.There were times of invigoration, watching the characters I had fallen for reach crescendos.But, there were also moments in which heartbreak became my companion, watching the plant as it withered and hoping it would not fade.

“Time is fleeting; it’s infinite, but not personally, just universally.Truth changes daily.Nothing is inevitable and death is certain.”

I arrived at some places in this book that were like total magic; not the kind you see when reading a paranormal or fantasy book, but the kind you experience when the words are awe-inspiring and swirl around in your head creating an unparalleled atmosphere of astonishment.The edge of mystery throughout kept me on my toes, with questions constantly churning through my head, and at times, completely blind-sided me and gave me a stutter-stop in my reading. About one-third of the way through, the plot twisted a bit, bringing a different kind and level of angst the carried me all the way to the end.

“At the heart of it, you are who you are. I believe people can always improve upon that, but your heart, you core, that will always be the same.”

This book found places buried deep in my soul and opened them up. It was not always pretty and, in fact, had moments that were excruciatingly painful to read. But, as I have come accustomed to with this author’s writing, it was phenomenal in its telling and showing of the depths of love and loss one can experience.

“Her fate was sealed long before she ever met you.You’re not the author of her story, nor the editor.You were simply a reader.”